Oregon-based team prepares to defend national title

through Monday and is tied for first place in the TABF and in the Tri-State League.

The Gold team will try to defend its 2008 College World Series championship at this year’s LineDrive Sportz National Amateur Baseball Federation College World Series presented by Buckeye Cable Sports Network August 6-9.

Coach Ed Mouch's squad will be without the services of Curtice native Ben Kauder during the World Series. Kauder, a 5-11, 165-pound right-handed pitcher/outfielder, underwent Tommy John elbow surgery last Wednesday.

"He's been out for the last three weeks," Mouch said. "He's in a cast and feeling better. He was getting his fare share of time on the mound and in the outfield. We'll miss the versatility he gives us. He was starting to swing the bat better when his arm kind of gave out."

In 15 games Kauder hit .300 (6-for-20) with eight runs, five RBI, two doubles, one triple and four walks. He made five appearances on the mound and was 1-0 with a 3.08 ERA in 11 2/3 innings.

Clay graduate Casey Winckowski (6-0, 205), an infielder/outfielder who had the game-winning hit in last year's World Series title game, has been playing college ball at Owens. He recently committed to play at a four-year school in South Carolina.

"Casey has been rotating between short, second and left field," Mouch said. "He was struggling for part of the season, but he had a good weekend last weekend in Cleveland. He was around the .240 mark earlier this year but is now up around .300."

In 32 games Winckowski is hitting .299 with three triples, 19 runs, 22 walks and 21 RBI.

Genoa grad Cory Horynak (6-2, 225), a pitcher and infielder/outfielder, is transferring from Youngstown State University to Tiffin University, where he will be a senior. In 37 games Hornyak is hitting .323 with 26 RBI, 24 runs, 11 doubles, three triples, a team-high five home runs and 15 stolen bases. His 64 total bases leads the team.

Steve Timofeev, the general manager of the Monarchs' Gold and Blue teams, helped assemble both squads this season.

"Steve has done a great thing for these kids locally," Matthews said. "Not many places have two college teams of this caliber. It's incredible. I can't say enough good things about him. These kids love the opportunity to play, and it's amazing what he goes through to keep this thing going. He goes to all the games. He'll go watch half of one game and then go watch the second half of the other."The Monarchs Gold plays at Owens starting with a 12:30 p.m. game Aug. 6 against the Louisville Orangemen. They play the Michigan Bulls at 4 p.m. The Monarchs Blue plays the Dubrose Hurricanes at 9 a.m. on Aug. 6 at Scott Park before taking on the Brunswick Express at 4 p.m.